Ranieri in Juventus contract row - reports

Claudio Ranieri could take legal action against Juventus over the remaining year on his contract, reports in Italy said yesterday.

Ranieri was sacked by Juventus in May with just two Serie A games remaining but had a contract until June 30, 2010.

According to the reports, Ranieri has submitted an official request to be registered for the new season, but as Ciro Ferrara has taken over at Juventus on a permanent basis, the club cannot have two coaches.

This also implies that, according to the rules, Juve are in breach of contract and must pay Ranieri bonuses for the remaining year of his contract, amounting to just under £1m.

Tuttosport claimed Ranieri's move is just a ploy to force the club into reaching a mutual agreement to terminate the contract. This would allow Ranieri to resume his career elsewhere, something he cannot do yet because he is still under contract.

The former Chelsea and Valencia manager has already been linked with the job at Russian club Zenit St Petersburg.